The Pirates shared the title in 2004.
“We played well,” said Lyon. “We played good ball. It was the SOC championship game so we just knew what we had to do and we got it done.”
Lyon's fourth goal of the evening gave the Pirates a 6-0 lead, but more importantly set the Pirates' single season goal record formerly held by Brian Craft. The record stood since 2004.
“It's a pretty big accomplishment,” said Lyon. “The team was behind me and everyone had a ton of support. I think I did it more for them than for me.”
After his fourth goal the game paused to award Lyon the game ball, but his third goal showed off the speed that helped him set the record. Lyon got the ball about 40 yards from his own goal and burned up the field, going nearly coast-to-coast for the score.
Though the Pirates came in expecting their coronation as champions, West played well at times. Late in the second half, the Senators were able to cross into Wheelersburg territory time after time, but could not score.
Wheelersburg, on the other hand, scored with frequency in the first half. David Jacobs and Issac Spradlin each added a goal in the first half and Spradlin had the assist on Lyon's record goal. Blake Kirkendall would score in the second half and Derek Tackett scored the final goal.
The Senators finish the regular season 1-15 overall and 0-12 in the SOC. Despite the record, West coach Jason Risner had good things to say about his team.
“The kids made big strides and they never quit on me,” said Risner. “If I had a video tape, I could show everyone from day one until now they would see the big improvements.”
West's seniors got some action in Thursday's game as a thank you to their years of play. Seniors on the West roster include Jon Cook, Ben Keating, Nathan Lauder, Eric Marasek, Gwennan Richmond, Emily Sparks and Brandy Thompson.
“Tonight was kind of bittersweet,” added Risner. “I let all the seniors play and they gave me what they had. A lot of them didn't see a lot of action during the season.”
Not long ago it seemed the SOC II title would come through Waverly but the Pirates had other plans.
“Two weeks ago we were down two games,” said Wheelersburg coach Paul Boll. “At the beginning of the season some people picked us to place third in the conference. This is the kind you really enjoy it because no one expected you to do it.”
Sectional play for both teams begins this weekend.
JOHN STEGEMAN can be reached at jstegeman02@hotmail.com or 353-3101 ext. 243
Wheelersburg 6 2 - 8
West 0 0 - 0
First Half - 1, Wheelersburg, Lyon (White), 2, Wheelersburg, Spradlin (Shuff), 3, Wheelersburg, Jacobs (una), 4, Wheelersburg, Lyon (White), 5, Wheelersburg, Lyon (una), 6, Wheelersburg, Lyon (Spradlin).
Second Half - 1, Wheelersburg, Kirkendall (Coburn), 2, Wheelersburg, Tackett (Allen)
Records - Wheelersburg 13-2 (10-2); West 1-15 (0-12)
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